Who Stood Out This Weekend and What They’re Building Toward Next

The athletes featured below took the time to reflect on their weekend performances, not just on what went well, but on how they impacted their teams, where they are growing, and what they are intentionally working toward next. These are athlete-led evaluations, curated for college coaches who value self-awareness, decision making, and a clear improvement mindset. Each player competed this weekend, shared honest takeaways from the court, and gave insight into who they are beyond volleyball, along with where they will be playing next.    [player_tooltip player_id='586687' first='Mileena' last='Lapuz'] competed at the NCVA Power League Qualifier, where her defensive presence and consistency helped steady her team during an up and down weekend. One of her standout moments came on a pursue play where she chased down the third ball into the bench, recovered quickly, and then filled a defensive seam to dig a hard outside swing, delivering a high, controllable ball to her setter that led to a kill. She also took pride in passing one of the opposing team's toughest servers after that server had targeted one of her teammates. Mileena emphasized her commitment to staying consistent for her team, especially during stretches where overall team consistency fluctuated. Moving forward, she is focused on trusting herself more in serve receive, particularly adjusting her depth when teams mix short and deep serves. Off the court, Mileena recently earned her driver's license on December 23, balancing practices, finals, and driving lessons, a milestone she is proud of and excited about.   Mileena's Next Tournament: NorCal Winter Classic, January 17–19 at The Grounds in Roseville, CA   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='569579' first='Cayden' last='Hobrecker'] competed at SCSN Event #1, where she played a key role in her team's 6–0 weekend. She was particularly proud of her blocking, an area she has intentionally focused on as a primarily defensive setter running a 5–1. Her decision making stood out throughout the weekend, especially her ability to consistently get the ball to hot hitters and recognize when her dump was available, which proved critical when opponents went on runs and began to settle in. Looking ahead, Cayden is focused on refining her connection with her middles, specifically in transition, noting how effective slides and threes can be in stressing a defense, opening up one on one pin opportunities, and creating space for the back dump late in matches. Off the court, she recently began coaching alongside her older sister after years of helping with clinics. She shared how meaningful it has been to pass along lessons from her own coaches to the next generation, an experience she looks forward to every week as the season continues.   Cayden's Next Tournament: Salt Lake City Showdown 18U   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='586683' first='Cyrhen' last='Cuadra'] competed at the NCVA Power League Qualifier, where she embraced her role as a defensive specialist who contributes beyond traditional passing and digging responsibilities. One of her favorite moments came after digging a hard driven ball, immediately transitioning back into the play, calling for a bic, and attacking from the back row. She also played a key role in a hard fought win by going on a crucial service run, a skill she takes pride in as one of the most controllable aspects of the game. Cyrhen is now focused on improving her serve receive by making quicker adjustments and recognizing opponent serving patterns earlier, especially when it comes to handling deep serves and stepping in on short balls. This growth will come through improved footwork and faster angle creation. Off the court, Cyrhen recently completed a strong academic semester, finishing with all As except for one B in honors biology, a result that has motivated her going into the next term.   Cyrhen's Next Tournament: NorCal Winter Classic, January 17–19 at The Grounds in Roseville, CA   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='933502' first='Arielle' last='Hernandez'] competed at SCSN Event #1, where she made a significant impact from the service line during a momentum shifting stretch. With her team down 10–0, Arielle stepped back to serve and stayed aggressive, eventually going on a 12-serve run that helped bring her team back into the set. She also felt her hitting was the strongest it has been so far this season, while recognizing that improving her shot selection and court vision will be an area of focus moving forward. Arielle is committed to improving her mindset and staying lower in serve receive, noting that continued effort and discipline in these areas will require her hardest work yet. Off the court, she described herself as upbeat and hardworking, balancing school, a new job, and volleyball. She recently began working as a ball shagger for a coach she respects, using the income to invest in clinics to continue improving her game, while celebrating her first 12-serve run as a major personal milestone.   Arielle's Next Tournament: January 25, 2026   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='725940' first='Noelani' last='Ramirez'] competed at the NCVA Power League Qualifier, where she took pride in running a consistent offense and identifying opponent weaknesses throughout matches. She shared that she was effective in targeting serving zones and recognizing opportunities to score through front row dumps. Looking ahead, Noelani is focused on becoming more aggressive offensively when she plays all the way around, particularly in the front row. She credits her coach for encouraging her to be confident and involved offensively, even when a dump does not immediately result in a point. Off the court, Noelani shared a fun detail about herself, she enjoys diamond painting and has completed several projects recently, an activity she finds relaxing and rewarding.   Noelani's Next Tournament: NorCal Winter Classic, January 17–19 at The Grounds in Roseville, CA   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">✨ If You Enjoyed This Article, Help Us Keep the Momentum Going</h2>   🔥 Players Use this article to grow. Take notes, study what makes others stand out, and apply it to your own journey. Want to take the next step? 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The athletes featured below took the time to reflect on their weekend performances, not just on what went well, but on how they impacted their teams, where they are growing, and what they are intentionally working toward next. These are athlete-led evaluations, curated for college coaches who value self-awareness, decision making, and a clear improvement mindset. Each player competed this weekend, shared honest takeaways from the court, and gave insight into who they are beyond volleyball, along with where they will be playing next.